Register a death

You are legally required to register a death within five days. The death must be registered at the register office in the borough where the death took place.

If there is an investigation into the death, with the Coroner being involved, the death may be registered outside of the five days. If the investigation leads to an inquest then the registration will take place once the inquest has been held. The Coroner will contact the family to let them know when they are able to obtain death certificates from the register office.

Deaths in Wandsworth

If the deceased passed away in the London Borough of Wandsworth, you will need to attend the Wandsworth Register Office for the registration.

The Register Office operates a walk in service from Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm. You do not need to call in advance. You can also book an appointment.

Registering a death at St George's Hospital

If a death occurred at St. George’s Hospital it can be registered there on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In order to use this service please contact the Bereavement Officer at St George's Hospital on 020 8725 3410 who will then arrange an appointment with the Registrar.

Deaths outside of Wandsworth

If the deceased passed away outside of the London Borough of Wandsworth, we are able to complete a declaration for the register office which covers the area in which the deceased passed away.

You will not be issued with a death certificate or burial or cremation certificate at the declaration because it needs to be posted to the appropriate office for the registration to be completed. The relevant documents will be posted to you after the registration has been completed.

Who can register a death

Qualified informants can register a death. A qualified informant can be:

A relative who was present at the death

A relative in attendance during the last illness

A relative living in the London Borough of Wandsworth

A person who was present at the death

An occupant of the house where the deceased was living

The person arranging the funeral (not the funeral director). A person arranging the funeral should only register a death if there are no relatives available.

If the informant does not speak or understand English, they need to bring someone who can translate for them.

What should I bring?

We need:

Medical certificate of cause of death- issued from certifying doctor

Coroners post mortem form- issued to us directly from the coroner

It would be helpful to bring:

Passports or birth certificates

Marriage or civil partnership certificates (if applicable)

To purchase certificates it is necessary to bring:

£4.00 for each certificate (cash or card payment) - you may purchase as many certificates as you wish

Only a cheque or a postal order can be accepted for death declarations (£4.00 per certificate)

Certificates

£4 on the day of registration

£7 after the day of registration (for approximately two months while the register is still in use)

£10 (when the register has been archived)

Documents you will receive

Certificate for burial or cremation- separate procedures apply where the death has been referred to the Coroner